Wrapping machine



Feb. 27, 1945. w RANNEY 2,370,4i8

WRAPPING MACHINE Filed March 22, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 .27 1 45- W.B.RANNEY 2,370,41

WRAPPING MACHINE Filed March 22, 1944 2 Sheets-Shet 2 Patented Feb. 27, 1945 WRAPPING MACHINE Willet B. Ranney, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Wm.

Wrigley Jr. Company, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Delaware Application March 22, 1944, Serial No. 527,553

7 Claims.

My invention relates to wrapping machines for relatively small articles such as gum sticks, particularly to machines intended to be operated at very high speed to apply one or more wrappers to such articles.

Machines for applying wrappers t gum sticks utilize a so-called tumbling box, or wrapping drum, provided with a plurality of gum stick receiving pockets. The tumbling box is intermittently rotated an interval equal to the distance between two pockets to present the pockets seriatim to gum stick receiving positions. As a gum stick is delivered to a pocket, a wrapper or label is placed in its path, so that, on insertion of a gum stick into a pocket, the said wrapper is partially wrapped around it, the remaining wrapping function continuing a the gum stick is advanced. In the wrapping of individual gum sticks there is usually an inner wrapper, the ends of which are also folded over, and an outer wrapper in the nature of a label, the latter merely enclosing four faces of the gum stick, leaving the end thereof free. My invention will be explained by reference to the outer wrapper or label, but it is not limited to such application.

As the tumbling box is intermittently rotated at high speed and an individual wrapper made available for enveloping the gum stick in the intended manner as it is advanced into a pocket at each partial rotation, it may happen that a wrapper will be delivered to wrapping position when no gum stick is fed thereto by the machine. Even though skilled operators may be in attendance, a failure of this type cannot be prevented, and because of the very high speed at which machines of this type operate may repeat itself several times before the condition can be remedied. Whether such failures occur over a short or relatively long period, the result is that sufficient wrappers may accumulate in such a Way as to cause partial or complete plugging and' stopping of portions of the machine and require temporary shut down of the machine to permit their removal. This problem is more acute in the case of the application of the outer wrapper or label indeed, may not exist at some wrapping stations, if the construction will permit the label or wrapper to drop completely away from the machine, such as at the initial wrapping station of the machine shown in Smith et al. Patent No. 2,276,744.

The principal object of my invention is to improve machines for wrapping gum sticks and the like.

Another object of my invention is to divert a wrapper from its usual path of travel in the event a gum stick, or other article being wrapped, is not available for combination with the gum stick in accordance with the intended manner of the machine.

Still another object of the invention is to prevent periodic stoppages in high speed wrapping machines due to the accumulation of wrappers, labels and the like, which have not beenutilized in accordance with the functions of the machine.

In accordance with the main features of my invention, I provide a wrapper delivery mechanism by means of which a wrapper may either be fed to a wrapping station for enveloping a gum stick, or may be diverted to one side thereof for delivery to a position where a number of wrappers or labels may accumulate without interfering with the free functioning of the machine. The delivery of the wrapper or label is so controlled that when a gum stick is following its usual path to the pocket of a tumbling box, the wrapper or label will follow a normal, generally downward, path through a feed chute, and be presented at the proper time in the path of the gum stick as it is being delivered to said pocket; but when there is a failure of the gum stick to be delivered along its said predetermined path, the label will be diverted from its normal course as it leaves its chute. In this manner, a wrapper or label will be delivered to wrapping station only when a gum stick is also delivered to such wrapping station.

My invention is shown as applied to a wrapping machine of the type disclosed in Smith et al. Patent No. 2,276,744, and more specifically to that portion thereof in which the outside wrapper or label is applied to the gum stick, the inner or *usual waxed wrapper having already been applied. Those skilled in the art may refer to such patent for a description of a complete gum wrapping machine, but the particular features of my invention may be understood by reference to the accompanying drawings showing one embodiment thereof.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational-view partly in section showing one embodiment of my invention, the parts being in a position in which a label is diverted from its normal path instead of being delivered to wrapping position in the customary manner;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary elevational view partly in section, the view being substantially identical with the corresponding portion 'of Fig. l, but

showing the label or wrapper being delivered to wrapping position;

Fig. 3 is a plan view partly in section, the view being taken substantially along the line 3-3 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view partly in elevation, the view being taken substantially along the line 44 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4, but showing some of the parts in a different position than Fig.4; and

Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing some of the principal parts concerned with the function of controlling the delivery of the label.

In Figs. 1 and 5 of the drawings, I indicate the gum stick to which the inner wrapper has been applied by the reference character S. The partially wrapped gum stick S is advanced by transporting mechanism, including fingers II, to a pocket I2 of a rotatable tumbling box I3. The wrapping machine is intended to function to deliver a wrapper or label L into the path of the gum stick S. In the usual wrapping machine a cover, generally similar to the cover I4 shown in the drawings, is provided to smooth out the trailing edge of the wrapper L and cause it to lie back generally along the periphery of the turnbling box, preparatory to further wrapping procedure with which may present invention is not concerned, and which, therefore, is neither shown nor described in detail.

My invention is concerned with the initial portion of the wrapping operation at a wrapping station wherein failure of gum sticks S to be delivered may cause accumulation of labels L and stoppage and/or loss of operating time of the machine.

In accordance with my invention, the stick S is caused to move along a pair of rails I'I formed on a bottom pressure plate I8 fulcrumed at I9, and pressed upwardly by a spring 2I. The gum stick is caused to be retained on the rails I! by top pressure plates 22, spring pressed downwardly, but limited in their downward movement by the flange arrangement (see Fig. 4) between the said top pressure plates and a frame portion 23. As the gum sticks are moved in the direction of the tumbling box I3, therefore, they are required to pass between the top pressure plates 22 and bottom pressure plate I8.

Beneath the bottom pressure plate I8, I provide a switch 24, a switch arm 28 of which is adapted to be depressed by the bottom pressure plate I8. The switch 24 is of a self-restoring type, requiring only very little movement for its operation, and the expenditure of only a very small amount of power to produce movement. There are several satisfactory switches of this type, one common switch, very suitable for my purpose, being known commercially as a microswitch. The switch 24 controls the flow of electrical current from a commercial source to a solenoid 28 of a pot type electromagnet. Energization or deenergization of the solenoid 28 controls the movement of the label L to or away from wrapping position in a manner, and by means of equipment which will be described below.

The labels are cut from a web (not shown) and delivered at the proper time in the cycle of the wrapping machine through a chute 29 partially defined by chute members 3| and 32. Friction rollers 33 and 34 are provided to deliver the labels at an accelerated rate as they are cut from the web. A label diverter or deflecting member commercial 36 is pivoted to the cover I4 and is movable to either one of two positions, in one of which it is aligned with the chute member 32 to cause the label to be deflected to position above the cover I4, and in the other of which it is substantially aligned with the chute member ill to permit the wrapper to be delivered substantially directly downwardly to article wrapping position. As employed in the embodiment of my invention as shown in the drawings, the upper portion of the cover I4 is finished relatively smooth, and has an arcuate shape, so that a label may freely move across its upper surface, as such label is diverted from its normal path to wrapping position. Above the cover- I 4, which, because of its function, also comprises a portion of the label diverter or deflector, I provide a friction roller 31 in the nature of a throw ofi device to positively, and at high speed, eject any label which is diverted to a position above the cover I4. The labels so ejected are accumulated in any suitable manner so as not to interfere with the free operation of all parts of the wrapping machine.

In order to control the position of the label diverter member 36, I provide hinge pieces 34 thereon extending into slots 33 in the cover I4. A rod 4I extends completely through the hinge pieces 38 and is journalled in the portion of the cover I4 at the sides of the slots 39. The hinge connection between the cover I4 and label diverter member 36 is, therefore, such that a smooth unobstructed way is provided along which the label may pass on eitherside of said member 36. The hinge pieces 38 are pinned to the rod 4I so that when the rod H is rocked, the label diverter' 36 will be rocked with it. A link 42 has one end pivoted to an armature 43 of the electromagnet heretofore referred to, and has its other end extending between bifurcations of an arm 44 carried by the rod H. A spring 45 coiled around one end of the rod H and one end in engagement with the arm 44 and one end engaging a portion of the cover I4. The switch 24 is adjusted to be closed when the switch arm 26 is not depressed, but is maintained open when the switch arm is depressed. The construction and arrangement of the parts is such that when the solenoid 28 is energized, the armature is drawn downwardly, the parts will be moved to the position shown in Fig. 1, and a label L may be diverted in the manner indicated in this figure; but when the solenoid is deenergized, the parts will be returned to the position shown in Fig. 2, by the spring 45, and the label will be fed directly downwardly into the path of the gum stick in accordance with the normal wrapping function of the machine.

Once set up and adjusted properly, the device of my invention is substantially full-automatic in its operation. As a labelis being delivered down the label chute, a gum stick should be delivered to the channel or passageway along which it moves to the wrapping station. More specifically, as the label is delivered to the chute, a gum stick should have been delivered to the rails I1 and the solenoid should, therefore, be deenergized. If, however, no gum stick has been progressed properly along the gum stick delivery channel-and hence none will be available for cooperation with a label at the wrapping position comprising the pocket I2-- the armature 28 will be energized and the wrapper or label, instead of being delivered along its normal path, will be diverted in the manner indicated in Fig. 1. It may be noted that the gum sticks are delivered in such sequence that in normal operation the switch arm 26 is never released, and there is no flow of current to the solenoid; but the failure of even a single stick of gum to be delivered causes the solenoid to be energized and a label to be diverted.

Those skilled in the art will understand, that, while my invention is advantageously applied to a wrapping machine in which a so-called tumbling box, wrapping drum, or other similar wrapping mechanism is used, having article receiving pockets into which the article is invested with a wrapper partially applied thereto in such process of insertion, it may have application in any form of wrapping machine in which individual wrappers and articles are timed to be delivered together to a wrapping mechanism, when the proper functioning of such mechanism is apt to be impaired by the delivery of a wrapper without concomitant delivery of an article to be wrapped therein.

I have shown and described a specific operable embodiment of my invention but the scop thereof is defined by the claims.

What I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a wrapping machine of a type wherein individual Wrappers and articles are timed to be I delivered together to a wrapping station, means for delivery a wrapper to said station, transport means for moving an article to said station, and means for diverting said wrapper away from said station when said article is not received by said transport means.

2. In a wrapping machine of a type wherein individual wrappers and articles are timed to be delivered together to a wrapping station, means for delivering awrapper to said station, transport means for moving an article to said station, means for diverting said wrapper away from said station, and means for actuating said diverting means to cause a wrapper in the control of said wrapper delivery means to be deflected from its delivery path when an article is not delivered to said transport means at a time to cause it to be delivered at the wrapping station in accordance with a wrapping cycle.

3. In a wrapping machine of a type wherein individual wrappers and articles are timed to be delivered together to a wrapping station, means for delivering a wrapper to said station, transport means for moving an article to said station, means for diverting said wrapper away tion in accordance with a wrapping cycle, said last mentioned means including electro-magnetic means, and a switch operable by movement of the article to control energization of said electromagnetic means,

4. In -a wrapper 'machine of a type wherein individual wrappers and articles are timed to be delivered together to a wrapping station, a label feed chute, means including feed rollers for delivering a wrapper through said label feed chute to'said wrapping station, transport means for moving an article to said station, and means for ejecting said wrapper from said chute when said article is not received by said transport means.

5. In a wrapping machine of a type wherein individual wrappers and articles are timed to be delivered together to a wrapping station, a label feed chute, means for delivering a Wrapper through said feed chute to said station, a channel along which an article is moved to said station, and means for ejecting said wrapper from said chute when said article is not received in said channel.

6. In a wrapping machine wherein individual wrappers and articles are timed to be delivered together to a wrapping station, a wrapper feed chute, means for projecting. a wrapper through said chute to wrapping position,-a hinged diverter member associated with said feed chute, and means for projecting said diverter member into the path of a wrapper and eject it from the chute when an article is not delivered to the said wrapping station.

7. In a wrapping machine wherein individual wrappers and articles are timed to be delivered together to a wrapping station, a wrapper feed chute, means for projecting a wrapper through,

said chute to wrapping position, a hinged diverter member associated with said feed chute, means for projecting said diverter member into the path of a wrapper and eject it from the chute when an article is not delivered to the said wrapping station, and means, including a friction roller, for removing a wrapper when it has been so ejected.

WILLET B. RANNEY. 

